2014 to 2015 Concert Season

Reviewed by Norman Hartley, Bournemouth Echo, 26/06/2015

Weymouth Choral Society performed to a packed and enthusiastic audience on Saturday with their Summer Soiree at All Saints School. The choir, under the baton of musical director, Helen Brind, was joined by The Weymouth Concert Brass and accordionist Louise Dukes as special guests in a wide-ranging programme of popular music.

Most of the pieces were genuine old favourites and the range was huge. After the audience had stood for a stirring arrangement of the National Anthem by choir and band, the programme moved into the informal tone that was the hallmark of the evening with two well-known show pieces by Irving Berlin.

Louise Dukes then displayed superb technique with the complex fingering of lively pieces like Offenbach’s Cancan followed by the Sailor’s Hornpipe, much loved of the Royal Navy - and fans of Blue Peter and the ever popular Over the Waves.

Continuing the maritime theme, the choir took obvious enjoyment in performing two songs by Dorset composer Vanessa Young who was a guest in the audience. The songs – Married to the Sea and Bring the Bounty In – reflected in turn the sailor’s inability to resist the lure of the sea and Dorset’s links with smuggling.

The Weymouth Concert Brass, sensitively directed by Philip George, then took over with the rousing march, Imperial Echoes, contrasted with a rendering of a Women’s Institute favourite - the inspirational Hymn, He Raised Me Up, beautifully played by the group’s principal cornettist Ceri Brady.

The rest of the concert was equally enjoyable. Helen brought the brass band under her baton to join the choir in Verdi’s Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves, before switching the mood back with a Medley from the Sound of Music.

Louise Dukes returned with another contrasting set to display her virtuosity including the Pink Panther theme and Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

The Weymouth Concert Brass received another warm response from the audience by playing the Floral Dance and, especially, a compilation of wartime songs to celebrate VE Day.

As a final gesture of solidarity with the Society’s guests, Helen handed over her baton to Philip George for him to conduct a rousing finale by the choir and brass, based on favourites from the Last Night of the Proms – a fitting end to a delightful evening.

Weymouth Choral Society dedicated its performance of the much-loved "Requiem" by Gabriel Fauré to the memory of their former musical director, John Wycliffe-Jones who died on 19th February aged 90. John was musical director of the society from 1978 to 2000 during which time he led the centenary celebrations in 1991/2. His tenure culminated in a concert with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra when he conducted the Fauré Requiem. John was very much involved in the local music scene, having led the Operatic Society, been organist at St Mary's Church, Weymouth and later other churches, and a great supporter of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. So it seems an appropriate tribute to this man to perform the last work he conducted for Weymouth Choral Society in the church where he was organist for so many years. Members of his family will be attending the concert and have asked that a bucket collection be held to the benefit of Weymouth Choral Society.

The requiem was originally composed in 1888. This popular work has a prevailing mood of calm and serenity with an ethereal quality that never fails to move the listener. The choir was joined by local organist David Bruce-Payne and soloists Michael Dewis (baritone) and Caroline Thomas (soprano). The programme also featured the dramatic 'Te Deum' of Joseph Haydn and the reflective, contrasting 'Five Mystical Songs' by Ralph Vaughan Williams. These compositions showcased the baritone soloist supported by the choral singers, who then came into their own in the rousing finale 'Let all the World in Every Corner Sing'.

Our Christmas Concert was held at a new venue for the choir: St Aldhelm’s Church in Spa Road, DT3 5EW. We were joined by Wyke Regis Junior School Choir and there was festive music in many different styles and ample opportunities for audience participation in the traditional well-loved carols.

The workshop – held in association with The Thomas Hardye Singers – was led by Neil Ferris, Head of Choral Conducting at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

This daytime workshop featured the much-loved Fauré Requiem and Howard Goodall’s Eternal Light: A Requiem, through which Neil will focused on vocal and choral technique, musicianship and interpretation. There was a final run-through at 5pm to which family and friends were invited to come along and listen.

The day started with a series of physical warm-up exercises including a form of two-way musical ‘Chinese whispers’ travelling round a very large circle. Singers from all over Dorset – and even Wiltshire – attended the workshop.